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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410690
Research Project: Restoration and Conservation of Great Basin Ecosystems

Location: Range and Meadow Forage Management Research

Title: Evaluation of blood markers of stress in beef cows during exposure to virtual fence stimuli

Author
item RANCHES, JULIANA - Oregon State University
item Boyd, Chad
item O'Connor, Rory
item FERREIRA, MATHEUS - Oregon State University
item REZENDE DOS SANTOS, ALINE - Oregon State University
item PUERTO HERNANDEZ, GRACIA - Oregon State University
item JOHNSON, DUSTIN - Oregon State University
item BOHNERT, DAVID - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Rangelands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The use of virtual fence for cattle containment has gained considerable attention. Virtual fence technology uses auditory and electric stimuli to contain or exclude cattle from pre-determined area, therefore raising concerns over cattle welfare. In this study blood mark-ers associated with stress and inflammatory response were evaluated when naive cattle were fitted with virtual fence collars. No major changes in blood markers were detected. Cattle were able to quickly identify, and adapt to, virtual fence boundaries resulting in a reduced number of stimuli applied over time. The use of virtual fence technology to contain cattle within a pre-established boundary does not seem to negatively impact cattle welfare.

Technical Abstract: The use of virtual fence technology (VF) may offer several benefits to cattle producers. However, the VF uses auditory (AS) and electric stimulus (ES) to modify animal behavior raising concerns over animal welfare. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on blood markers associated with stress and inflammatory response, when cattle are fitted with automated VF collars. Forty mature Angus × Hereford cows (body weight: 595 kg ± 10.3) were fitted with VF collars on d0 and upon processing were moved to a paddock where a VF boundary was established. Cows were maintained in the VF containing paddock for 5 consecutive days (training phase) where VF management zones were 25 m for the ES and 5 m for the AS. Blood samples were collected on d0 and 5. When an cow received a stimulus from approaching the VF boundary, the VF collar logged the time stamp, GPS coordinates, and type of stimulus (AS and ES) triggered. Variables were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. No effects (P = 0.11) were observed for plasma concentrations of cortisol or ceruloplasmin. However, plasma haptoglobin concentrations changed over time and were greater (P <0.0001) on d5 vs. d0. Both AS and ES counts changed over time (P <0.0001), decreasing as the study progressed. Cattle quickly identify, and adapt to, virtual fence boundaries suggesting that VF technology to contain cattle within a pre-established boundary does not seem to negatively affect cattle welfare.